It is an unassuming colour palette - rose gold and moss green and steely silver, all of which are in seductive, translucent tints. This bracelet would go with a wide variety of outfits. Think everyday western-wear, contemporary suits and sarees, or Indo-western moods. It will not only up the glamour quotient of your presence, but also serve to make a statement grounded in ethnic fashion. Charming and quirky, it is a superbly youthful piece and one to turn heads and start conversations whenever you are wearing it.
The structure of the dress is such as to highlight the woman's form and whatever she has by way of tallness. The straight-fit kameez comes with a deep neckline, which is complemented by the superbly long sleeves and low hemline. Crocheting work in blue makes up the designed panel at the centre against the yellow, the hem defined by more crocheted panels in varying colours. The signature choodidar trousers complements the rest of the dress. The chiffon dupatta, as light and translucent and dominantly pink as it is, completes the glamour of this dress.
Marble is a difficult medium to work with. It takes years of learning and practice to perfect one's way around stone. The marble sculptures that you see in our collection, of which this is a fine example, have been handpicked with the greatest care. Note the sheer degree of skill that must have gone into this number - the Devi's and Her lion's minute proportions such as the digits and the expressive facial features, the stateliness of the lifelike posture, and detailing in the weapons. Hints of gold detailing in the adornments of the two as well as the weapons bring out the pristine colour of the high-quality marble. The composition has been placed on a relatively austere pedestal to highlight the aforementioned details.
It is the superbly carved pendant that is the most statement-making aspect of this devotional neckpiece. Zooming in on the sacred figurines would enable you to appreciate the precision and skill that have gone into the work. The altar is replete with serrated pillars and an engraved roof rimmed with lotus petals, typical of South Indian temple architecture. The haloes of Shiva-Parvati are intact, and it is on Nandi Himself that they are seated. A jade-coloured gem sits on the roof of the temple, besides the dark red stones that punctuate the silver in the rest of the neckpiece. Note the pearly white drops beneath the pendant that add to its beauty.
It is pure pashmina, the colour of jet black dusk. Adding to the allure of the foundation black is the dense embroidery in the foreground. The colour palette is decidedly feminine - pinks, oranges, and reds with hints of blues and greens - such that it could go with a wide variety of evening sarees and suits. Zoom in on the work to appreciate the precision and symmetry with which it has been carried out, that also by hand. It is this rare skill with the needle, as well as the time and labour that have been put into this wearable work of art, that would make this pashmina shawl your most statement buy of the season.
Usually, the central motif that constitutes the theme of the thangka is painted by the most experienced monk that leads the group. The symbols and motifs that complete the painting - the fire-wielding snake-dragons and other fauna included here, clouds, leaves, mountains, and rivulets - are done under his supervision by the junior monks. Seated Shiva and Parvati are leaning against each other, steeped in conversation. Solemn and gathered, their divine stance befits the luxuriance of this thangka. Statement-making jewel tones, a dusky black backdrop, the lush Himalayan landscape, this thangka is the very image of Kailash Mansarovar, the home of Shiva-Parvati.
Despite the minuteness of the work and the delicateness of the medium of gold, the all-important iconography has not been compromised on. The multi-tiered crown on His head is elaborate, fit for His status as a divine prince. His clothing and shringar are replete - His legs in ardha-padmasana clad in a silk dhoti, long necklaces, and bracelets on all four arms. He is the son of Shiva, so a trishool (trident) tilak has been engraved at the base of the trunk. Right above it is a piece of finely polished coral, marking the crest of the Lord. Donning this simple item of jewellery would ensure that His blessings shower upon everything you undertake with the hand that wears it.
The ikar weave of this saree has been perfected over generations in local artisans families. A relatively recent development, this weave was developed to cater to the tastes of the local Muslim population as well as West Asian countries where it is exported. Zooming in on the border and the endpiece will allow you to take in the beauty and the finesse of this weave done in that gorgeous red colour. This saree is best teamed with some statement gold hand-me-downs and worn to ritual gatherings.
The thing about Nepalese sculpture is that it is an inspired tradition. It is not only about aesthetics, but also about iconographical perfection. This is because each aspect of the chosen deity has its own significance, and the Nepalese artisan is known for his attention to detail. This Garuda murti is fashioned from wood, which is an expensive medium to work with. It has traditionally been used as an element of rich architectural constructions in ancient temples of the land. Indeed, this solemnly carved Garuda with its dark gold-undertones finish looks fit to be housed in an internal pillar or door-frame of a magnificent Vishnu temple. Zoom in on the highly expressive countenance, the unusual lotus pedestal, and the perfectly symmetrical work on the wings to take in the beauty of Nepalese workmanship.
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